Hike Kidz Foundation Partners with Love in Action to Deliver Fresh Food to Families

More than 40 local families received fresh produce, meat, and other groceries this week through a new partnership between the Hike Kidz Foundation and Love in Action, expanding efforts to address food insecurity in Warren County.

The food distribution, held at First Baptist Church in Front Royal, marked Love in Action’s first outreach event in Warren County and brought together several community organizations working toward the same goal: making healthy food more accessible for families in need.

Love in Action volunteers assist families during a free food distribution at First Baptist Church in Front Royal. Shown, from left, are Kirby Place, Crystal Haley, La-Tanya Hines, Debbie Stephen, and Sandy Barrett, who helped distribute fresh produce and healthy foods as part of a community partnership with the Hike Kids Foundation. Photo by Stephanie Baker.

“We clothe the kids, and today we’re going to feed the kids,” said Amber Veitenthal of the Hike Kidz Foundation. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve really been bringing that full circle.”

The event combined fresh produce supplied through Love in Action with locally sourced meat purchased through a Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) grant secured by Harvest Missions Outreach.

Breaking Barriers to Healthy Food

La-Tanya Hines of Love in Action said the organization’s mission is simple.

“Our main thing is to feed the people with no judgment,” she said. “If you’re a millionaire and you get laid off and you need food, we’re going to feed you. If you’re having a hard time making ends meet, we’re going to feed you—no questions asked.”

Love in Action partners with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, First Fruits Farm, and the Stephen City Outlet to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Families also receive bilingual recipe cards to help prepare unfamiliar produce.

Hines said the organization’s mobile food distribution model is designed to eliminate transportation barriers.

“Produce can be expensive,” she said. “Our thing is to break the barrier of transportation and bring healthy food to the people.”

More Than a Food Giveaway

Veitenthal said food has become the number one request the Hike Kidz Foundation receives from local families.

“Our number one request continues to be food,” she said. “But we also have housing insecurities and clothing insecurities.”

She credited Lori Howard of Harvest Missions Outreach with securing the grant that allowed the organization to purchase meat for the event.

First Baptist Church donated freezer space to store the meat before distribution, while Brick House Bar & Grill also provided freezer storage.

“We’re feeding the same kids that we clothe,” Veitenthal said. “We’re doing all this in conjunction with existing partnerships and new partnerships.”

Families Receive a Full Box

Each participating family received a box filled with fresh groceries.

The food packages included ground pork, sausage, butter, and a choice of meats such as London broil, pork chops, chuck roast, or kielbasa, along with a variety of fresh produce including broccoli, sweet potatoes, corn, onions, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, citrus, and pineapple.

Members of First Baptist Church also donated homemade jellies for families to enjoy.

Robin Russell, the Hike Kidz Foundation’s community resource advocate, said the need is significant.

“As Amber said, I am boots on the ground with the families, and the number one request that we do get is for food,” Russell said. “This is going to go a long way for all of our families.”

The food was provided at no cost to recipients.

Community Partnerships Make It Possible

Veitenthal emphasized that the event demonstrates what can happen when local nonprofits, churches, businesses, and volunteers work together.

“We can’t do this without the community,” she said.

She also praised Love in Action’s new mobile food distribution truck, noting that many families struggle simply to reach food distribution sites.

“I’m all about going mobile,” Russell said. “Many people lack transportation. Thank you again for everything—breaking barriers.”

School Supply Drive Begins

While the food distribution addressed immediate needs, the Hike Kidz Foundation is already preparing for the upcoming school year.

Beginning Monday, collection buckets will be placed outside the foundation’s office at 417 N. Royal Avenue. Each bucket will contain a list of requested school or hygiene supplies.

Community members are invited to take a bucket, purchase the requested items, and return it to help prepare local students for the new school year.

“We’re going to clothe 250 kids again this school year,” Veitenthal said.

With summer quickly winding down, organizers say the continued support of volunteers, donors, and community partners will help ensure local children have both the food they need today and the school supplies they’ll need when classes begin in just a few weeks.